15 01 January, looking ahead

Looking Back on 2014

8

Reflect on the Joys of the Past

Youth & Young Adults focuses on opportunities for young people across southern Minnesota to connect, encounter Christ, and grow closer to Christ through their ministry experiences.

Steubenville World Youth Day Camp Summit TEC Net Ministries NCYC Intermission

Life, Marriage & Family provides opportunities for individuals to grow closer to Christ through promoting the dignity of life, preparing for marriage as well as renewal of marriage, and protecting lives in our parishes and schools.

March for Life Marriage Retreats Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation

Our diocesan offices serving the Catholic faithful across Southern Minnesota.

Totus Tuus

Respect Life Anniversary Mass

Faith Formation provides opportunities for individuals to grow closer to Christ through life-long catechesis and spiritual formation for all – Catholic youth and adults as well as non-Catholics interested in learning more about the faith through RCIA.

RCIA

Endow

Catechetical Day Together in Faith Parish Support

Vocations dedicated to providing support for young men and women in their discernment and response to grow closer to Christ through the priesthood, religious or consecrated life.

Catholic Schools Did you know that there are a total of 30 Catholic schools throughout southern Minnesota with a total enrollment of 10,000 students all of whom are growing closer to Christ through their Catholic school experience?

ACE Collaborative Northwest Evaluation Association Standardized School Policies January, 2015 w The Courier

One-on-One Discipleship Discernment Groups Living the Fourth Videos Vocations Presentations Priest Formation

Lay Formation focuses on leading people closer to Christ through prayer, study and reflection on the Catholic Faith while training adultaged disciples to go forth and lead others closer to Christ.

Institute of Lay Formation Symbolon

Ministry Days 125th Anniversary Celebration

Communications tells the stories alive in southern Minnesota and responds to the call to provide timely and accurate information to our media-driven society.

Radio/TV The Courier Virtual Conference Rooms Sunday TV Mass

Website & Social Media

“In the future, we will have more Intermission rallies throughout

“I envision offering more marriage retreats

throughout southern Minnesota so a greater number of couples have many opportunities to participate. When couples take time to grow in their faith together, they go forth renewed in their desire to help one another get to heaven.” – Peter Martin, Director of the Office of Life, Marriage, and Family

“My future goals for the Superintendent’s Office entail (1) creating a Leadership Development Program for emerging leaders on staff at the Catholic Schools who have the potential to become principles, (2) providing ongoing professional development for teachers, and (3) housing a master database to more efficiently and accurately manage school records.” – Marsha Stenzel, Catholic Schools Superintendent

Rejoice in the Hope of the Future

“In the future, I hope to expand

the Office of Faith Formation to provide individualized faith formation for catechists to prepare them intellectually and spiritually to teach the Catholic faith in a profound way.”

“As more interest in – Sr. Paul discerning vocations develops, Mary Rittgers, I seek to create opportunities for those who Director of the are discerning a religious vocation to con- Office of Faith Formation nect with another who can guide them in their discernment process. I want to build upon the resources the Office of Vocations has to offer, particularly in multi-media resources. I also want to tell the stories in more detail and creative ways of the many individuals throughout our diocese who are fully living their religious vocations. One idea I have is to make a card deck of priest trading cards.” – Fr. Will Thompson, Director of the Office of Vocations

“In the future,

we plan to enhance and strengthen our spiritual formation offerings in the Institute – i.e., our retreats, days of reflection, pilgrimages, etc. for Institute alumni and students. Deepening one’s relationship with Christ is always at the center of our formation program.” -- Todd Graff, Director of the Office of Lay Formation

9 Looking Ahead to 2015

southern Minnesota and more camp offerings for Camp Summit.

There is something very powerful at work when youth from all over are brought together in prayer, catechesis and fellowship – you see the Holy Spirit setting hearts on fire for God and the Church.” – Ben Frost, Director of Youth and Young Adults

Directors of our diocesan led ministries throughout southern Minnesota share some of their goals and dreams for the new year and beyond.

"For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." Jer 29:11

“We will continue to improve

and broaden our communications efforts to keep pace with the everchanging ways people communicate. We must be evangelists in everything we do and utilize whatever means is available to make disciples and invite people closer to Christ. Establishing a seamless and instantaneous communication network across our diocese connecting every Catholic parish, school, and organization is a priority in our future planning.” -- Joel Hennessy, Director of the Office of Mission Advancement and Communications

Each new year brings the expectation of a better world. I ask God to grant us concord and peace, so that the aspirations of all for a happy and prosperous life may be achieved. Pope Benedict XVI January, 2015 w The Courier